Recognized for helping to reduce incidents of falling

by Dennis Rahm

The Washington State Department of Health recently recognized Lake Chelan Health EMS for showing innovation and creativity in efforts to reduce fall-related 911 calls and emergency room visits. The award included a “Finding Our Balance” plaque.

EMS Director Ray Eichmeyer said falls are the number one cause of injuries in Washington State. In the Lake Chelan Valley falls account for 13 percent of their 911 call volume. One in four elderly adults will fall in a given year, prompting Eichmeyer to say, “we want to change that as we want to keep our community healthy and well”.

Statistics show that someone who falls once is likely to fall again. Eichmeyer said that’s why it has been important to implement a program that aims to reduce the number of falls by stressing five major tactics.

The tactics to help advocate for fall prevention include fall risk screening, home safety assessment, medication review, alert button installations and offering classes for the SAIL program. SAIL, which stands for stay active and independent for life, is a program designed to improve strength, balance and fitness for older adults. The EMS Fall program has also forged partnerships with Life Alert and the Lake Chelan Rotary Club which has helped provide free ramps and handrails in homes and bathrooms as needed.

Lake Chelan Health offers free SAIL classes in partnership with the Lake Chelan Senior Center. Link Transit and Okanogan Public Health also assist in transportation to the classes which are held every Wednesday at the senior center from 1:15 pm to 3 pm.